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Dear RTFH Family,
A new billboard has been put up in front of Temple celebrating our 30th Anniversary and Torah Project. It reads, “Your Story. Our Tradition. A Shared Future.”
All of us have different stories on our RTFH journey. The Shereff family is part of RTFH across the generations. Micky Josephs and her daughter Sharon have been members since before RTFH was formed. Sharon’s daughter, Rachel, is a teacher in our Religious School. Her son, Asher, was a board member of ToFHY. Her husband, Charlie, was a beloved member of our Adult Choir and tragically passed away this past week. Their family story is interwoven into the fabric of our Temple history – past, present, and future.
Every service, program, life cycle, holiday, and moment that your family spends with RTFH is adding to our community’s strength. Thank you for making the Temple tapestry more vibrant because of each of you.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Torah Writing Opening Ceremony
Sunday, February 9 from 11:30am-12:00pm
We officially begin writing letters in our new Sefer Torah at an opening ceremony in the Sanctuary. Join our religious school and whole community for a special beginning as our Religious School Teachers and Madrichim write a letter in the opening words of the Torah. Throughout that day and Monday, dozens of Temple families will then write their letters in the Torah.
There is Time to Add Your Name to Our Legacy: Be Part of the Torah Project
Make your gift today to be part of the March 23-24 Scribe visit! Help RTFH write our very own Torah and ensure a strong, vibrant future for our Temple community.
Add Your Name Now
Thank you, Temple Family, for your generous support.
We’re celebrating your contributions with a digital display in the Upper Lobby.
See your name featured on the video loop, on our website, or in person!
(Donations as of 1/15/25)
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Friday 1/31/25-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
Friday 1/31-2/3/25-Confirmation RAC Trip
Sunday 2/2/25-PA Monthly Meeting at 9:30 am
Thursday 2/6/25-Joint Session of Women's Connection and Men's Study at 7:00 pm
Friday 2/7/25-Shabbat Reshon (5th Grade/Shabbat Shira) at 6:15 pm
Saturday 2/8/25-Tu BiShvat Seder & Lunch at 10:30 am
Sunday 2/9/25-Torah Writing Opening Ceremony at 11:30 am
Sunday 2/9-Monday 2/10/25-Torah Scribe Days
Friday 2/14/25-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
Sunday 2/16-Sunday 2/23/25-Religious School Closed for Winter Break
Friday 2/21/25-Shabbat Evening Services (Repro Shabbat) at 7:00 pm
Sunday 2/23/25-Forest Hills Chamber Music Series at 2:00 pm
Friday 2/28/25-Shabbat Evening Services (Helen Keller Shabbat of Inclusion & Empowerment)
Sunday 3/2/25-PA Monthly Meeting at 9:30 am
Sunday 3/2/25-Mitzvah Day 9:00am-4:00 pm
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Collecting 30th Anniversary Artifacts
For our 30th anniversary, if you have stashed away any keepsakes, old newsletters, posters, or other memorabilia for RTFH’s history, please consider lending it to Temple to add to our celebrations.
You can drop off anything in the office or with Rabbi Kaiserman. If you want it returned, please make sure to let us know and put your name on it.
Celebrating 30 years of learning, sharing, and connecting.
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Parents Association February Meeting
Sunday, February 2 at 9:30 am
Learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Raise questions or concerns for the PA to discuss. Mandatory attendance for Class Parents. Optional attendance for all other PA members. Breakfast will be served.
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Joint Women’s Connection and Men’s Study Session
Thursday, February 6th
Led by Rabbi Mark Kaiserman
7:00pm - Pizza (bring $5)
7:30-8:30pm - Session
Is the Torah Still Relevant? When we encounter challenging or outdated parts of the Torah, we may be tempted to reject the entire text. How is the Torah still relevant to our lives today, even when there are aspects we disagree with? Join Rabbi Kaiserman to gain a new perspective on the Torah.
RSVP HERE
Sign up here to bring a snack, dessert, or salad to share
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Tu BiShvat for All
Saturday, February 8 at 10:30am
Join us as we celebrate Tu BiShvat together! We welcome all ages to join us with the seder that celebrates the New Year for the Trees. We will express gratitude for trees and their fruits, for nature and its fragility, and of course, our connection to the land of Israel. Together, we’ll drink our four cups of wine or juice and eat different kinds of fruits, which symbolize the variety of the natural world that it is our duty to preserve.
The seder will be followed by a potluck lunch and a song session. Join us for the seder, and then stay for lunch! You can register here. If you are staying for lunch, please indicate what you will be bringing.
For those of you who have enjoyed meditation during the Tu BiShvat seder, our Weekly Friday Meditation Sit will be devoted to Tu BiShvat. This will take place at 1:30 PM on Friday, February 7th, at https://zoom.us/j/929864997?pwd=N2c2WCtyM2UzRVJQQzltelpWNk9lZz09
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Forest Music Chamber Music Series
Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Mozart Piano Quartet and Korngold Piano Quintet
Featuring Ari Evan (cello), Henry Kramer (piano), Kobi Malkin and Alex Fortes (violins), & Tanner Menees (viola)
The second concert of the 2024-25 Forest Hills Chamber Music Series will take place on Sunday, February 23 at 2pm.
In gratitude for your support, Torah Project donors ($1,000+) are entitled to complimentary tickets for the 24-25 chamber music series.
Register for the concert here.
I hope you can join us!
L’shalom,
Cantor Emily
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Sunday, March 2
9:00am - 4:00pm
Join us for a special day of helping our neighbors in need and the planet!
Live our shared values through hands-on acts of kindness.
Choose from a wide range of activities and impactful projects—and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family!
Click HERE to register to volunteer and sign up for lunch by Thursday, February 27th. Advanced registration is very helpful.
To further support our MD25 programs, please donate HERE. Your contributions, large or small, are greatly appreciated.
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Mitzvah Opportunity:
PS112Q Students Need Warm Clothes
The students at our Mitzvah Day partner, PS112Q in Long Island City, need our help TODAY!
Many of their 3K-5th graders arrive to school in short-sleeve shirts or shorts.
You can purchase warm clothes from this Target Wish List and have them shipped directly to the school.
Thank you for your warm-hearted, generous support.
For questions, contact Social Action Team member Marcia Parness at mhpisme@aol.com.
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Birthday Connection
Acknowledge someone's special day by sponsoring a birthday greeting!
Each month, a list of Temple members celebrating birthdays is posted to the RTFH Birthday Connection. Simply click on the link, create or login to your Member's Account, and fill out the online form. Women's Connection will send that person a personalized Happy Birthday greeting to everyone who donated in their honor. At only $1 per greeting, Birthday Connection is an easy way to manage a monthly mitzvah for everyone on your list!
Hard copies of Birthday Connection lists with instructions are available below and in plastic hanging bins in the lobby of the temple near the coat room or use the link below.
Send Birthday Wishes
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It’s the Perfect Time to Join Torah Study
This is the perfect time to add that “10% more Judaism” to your life. Join Torah Study on Zoom each Saturday from 9-10 am as we begin the Book of I Samuel.
Friendship. Romance. Lust for power. Infidelity. Betrayal. God.
The Book of Samuel beats any contemporary soap opera in its intrigue and emotion. Explore the richness of these tales that shaped the Jewish people in one of the most memorable parts of the Tanakh.
No previous reading or knowledge needed. Join any time.
For the Zoom link, please see your most recent e-blast or contact our Office Administrator Sheryl Hausman at sheryl@rtfh.org.
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Meditation Sit with Cantor Pincus
Fridays at 1:30 pm
Get ready for Shabbat with some quiet relaxation time! This 30-minute Meditation Sit with Cantor Emily will incorporate Jewish text, music, and, of course, silence.
For the Zoom link, please see your most recent e-blast or contact our Office Administrator Sheryl Hausman at sheryl@rtfh.org.
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We're thrilled to have RTFH as our newest school base offering full time childcare education for children aged 2-5 years old. | |
Spearheaded by the Israel Support and Action Committee (ISAAC), our congregation supports Israel by giving to The Shiloni Project, a grassroots organization formed to meet the needs of displaced families and soldiers.
Please give generously by clicking here.
See the Israel page of our new website for more details.
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Music Together at RTFH!
We are so thrilled to be in our RTFH home with our beloved
Music Together®️program! for Babies through 8 yr olds
Enroll Today!
MusicTogetherwithMusicandMe.com
718-229-0033
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Thank you for your support of
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills
We welcome you to learn more about our Temple at our new website www.rtfh.org
To donate, click “Donate" at the top of the page or go directly to rtfh.org/donate
·Choose to make a donation in honor or in memory of a friend or family member, and the recipient will immediately receive a warm email notifying them of your donation.
·Yahrzeit Fund: send a donation in memory of loved ones, and a private note is instantly sent to the recipient!
· The Temple Office will provide tax benefit letters after the end of the year fully detailing your donations.
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